The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.

To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.

The most profound meditation is to think nothing at all.

Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.

External phenomena are like a dream, whatever appears is not real. Recognize the nature of dream-like phenomena to be dream-like.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

To what shall I compare this life? It is like a boat that left at dawn, leaving no trace.

Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking.

Mindfulness is the gentle effort to be continuously present with experience.

The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.

In the moment of anger, abandon anger but not the person. In the moment of attachment, abandon attachment but not the person.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.

Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher.

Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache: you won't be able to find it. But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you.

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are not our thoughts.

Recognize the emptiness of all phenomena, but do not become attached to emptiness itself.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.

The deepest happiness comes from having an enduring sense of purpose, one that gives our lives meaning beyond the endless pursuit of pleasure and success.

The entire path is a path of self-responsibility. Nobody else can walk it for you.

The nature of all things is like a magical illusion, a mirage, a dream, a reflection of the moon in water.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.

The mind itself is the maker of all happiness and misery; yet beings do not understand this and blame external conditions.

Feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we're holding back.

In the beginning, nothing comes, in the middle nothing stays, in the end nothing goes.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.

Just to be alive is enough.

If you want to understand suffering, you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there.

My religion is to live and die without regret.

The obstacle is the path.